On International Women’s Day, advocates gathered at the United Nations to highlight the urgent need to combat the global regression of women’s rights. Sima Bahous, executive director of U.N. Women, stated, “International Women’s Day is a powerful moment… our determination has never been more unshakable.” She urged women worldwide to confront the backlash against their rights, declaring that celebrating equality enriches society.
Globally, women continue to grapple with significant challenges, including threats to their reproductive rights and equality in various spheres like education and politics. This year marks the 30th anniversary of a pivotal conference in Beijing where women’s rights were established as fundamental human rights. Although the U.N. reports increased school attendance and female representation in power, violence and discrimination persist.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against complacency, asserting, “We cannot stand by as progress is reversed,” highlighting that it could take 130 years to eliminate extreme poverty for women and girls. He stressed that gender equality transcends fairness—”It is about power—who gets a seat at the table and who is locked out.”
Jaha Dukureh, an advocate and survivor of female genital mutilation, emphasised the necessity for governments to bolster social protections and educational access for women and girls. “For all women and girls, economic independence is the foundation of freedom,” she noted, recognising the empowering potential of education and financial stability.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is set to welcome hundreds of activists dedicated to promoting gender equality. Sarah Hendriks from U.N. Women pointed out that anti-women’s rights groups have become better funded and coordinated, thus hindering the progress achieved over the years. She underscored the fragile state of advancements made since Beijing and mentioned that U.N. Women aims for a 2025 action agenda that will mark a significant turning point in the fight for gender equality. Negotiations for a strong political declaration are ongoing, with concerns that key issues, such as reproductive rights, may not receive adequate attention.
On International Women’s Day, women advocates urged the U.N. to confront global setbacks in women’s rights. Significant speakers highlighted ongoing challenges such as violence, discrimination, and a slow pace in progress towards gender equality. With the Commission on the Status of Women meeting upcoming, they hope to establish a stronger political declaration and reaffirm commitments to women’s rights, aiming for a significant agenda by 2025.
The call to action for gender equality resonates loudly as advocates rally against the current setbacks in women’s rights. Significant figures at the U.N. highlighted the persistence of challenges and the urgent need for relentless efforts to protect these rights. The upcoming Commission on the Status of Women aims to pave the way for a renewed commitment to gender equality, with hopes of a transformative agenda projected for 2025. The spirit of determination remains strong; women are urged to unite in the fight against inequality.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
